8mm Forum: Additional Lenses For Bolex M8?

This is topic Additional Lenses For Bolex M8? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on January 18, 2008, 10:13 AM:

I am curious if other focal lenghts were offered for this machine in addition to the prime that came with it, as I have yet to see any such lenses for sale anywhere.

Thanks,
Claus.

Posted by Joerg Polzfusz (Member # 602) on January 18, 2008, 10:33 AM:

The Bolex Collector says: "LENS: Interchangeable lenses; Usually supplied with a Kern 20mm f/1.6. Later models were supplied with a Kern 20mm f/1.3 lens."
I'm not sure whether those "Interchangeable lenses" fulfilled any of those standards back then...

Posted by Rob Watson (Member # 382) on January 18, 2008, 11:00 AM:

There were two others offered as standard, a 34mm and another around 25mm (I cant remember exactly). Very late M8s could take the 15mm lens used in the later 18-5. The 18-5's zoom lens will also fit the latest models but, being longer, interferes with the film path when rewinding. The lens housing on earlier M8s can be altered to take the 18-5 lenses by slightly grinding the lens locating pin with a Dremel or similar.

Rob

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on January 18, 2008, 11:41 AM:

Thank you for the information; I have what I am assuming is the 'later' M8 (silver, not matte green, with the 1.3 lens)

I'll keep the 18-5 lens in mind.

Claus.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on January 18, 2008, 02:24 PM:

The Kern lenses used on the Bolex projectors are superb, just like their camera lenses - possibly the best 8mm lenses ever made. If you shoot reg 8 mm on a Bolex camera with Kern lenses, and then project on an 18-5 with a Hi-Fi Kern lens, you end up with unbelievable sharpness and contrast that puts even todays video to shame. High Definition? 8mm has had it for 50 years!

Posted by Rob Watson (Member # 382) on January 21, 2008, 06:37 AM:

Claus - The grey finish M8 was introduced in August 1955, the revised lens holder much later, in December 1959. The later lens holder will accept both the M8 and the 18-5 lenses but you will only have it if you have a projector with serial number 467221 or later.

Rob

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on January 21, 2008, 07:59 AM:

Rob, thank you, good to know.

I will check the number on it.

Claus.

Posted by Anton Juan-Jorge Caro (Member # 1012) on January 26, 2008, 02:02 PM:

Hello,
May I ask you if you have a manual for the Bolex M8 to send to me a copy?
I have no idea how to put the film to make a projection...
I noticed that maybe everything is Ok. But when I switch off the projector but it is still powered, there is a crack in a minute or two. Is this thing dangerous for the projector?
Sorry for the spam and off-topic, but I did not want to write a new topic only for my fabulous experience with 8 mm...
Anton

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